Opposition begins court challenge to election

The High Court in Zimbabwe yesterday began hearing a challenge by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai against President Robert Mugabe's victory in last year's disputed polls.

The hearing comes 18 months after Tsvangirai first filed a petition against the election, claiming Mugabe violated electoral laws and used dirty tactics to win himself a fifth term in office.

Tsvangirai's South African lawyer, Jeremy Guantlett told Justice Ben Hlatshwayo yesterday that the disputed poll was conducted in an environment that was "blatantly unconstitutional".

"The fairness and genuineness of the elections were stifled at birth," said the lawyer inside a packed courtroom that included Tsvangirai, his wife and other senior officials of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).